Shayani Ekadashi – Prathamaikadashi

Ans : It applies to all caste, all ashrama, and ladies. All Vishnu bhaktaas irrespective of Caste whether it is Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shoodra, all must have Tapta Mudradharana from Vaishnava only. Even the cattle in our house must have Tapta Mudradharana.

2. When one must have Tapta Mudradharana?

Ans : During Jaatakarma, Choula, Upanayana samskara, marriage, and on each day Prathama Ekadashi day. It is just like renewal of Vaishnava Deekshe., Other important days on which Tapta Mudradharana to be taken are : Shravana Dwadashi Upavasa day; Bhadrapada Shukla Ekadashi, Karthika Shukla Ekadashi; Upakarma day.

3. Whether gods also must have Tapta Mudradharana?

Ans : Yes. They too must have Tapta Mudradharana on Shravana Dwadashi, Prathama Ekadashi day – as per Yukti Mallika

4. Whether Gruhastaas can give Tapta Mudradharana?

Ans – No. Gruhastaas are not eligible to give Tapta Mudradharana. Those Gruhastaas who take Tapta Mudradharana themselves will not get any punya. It is just like Poundrika Vasudeva who got Mudra just to resemble Krishna, in vain. – Ramamruta Maharnava

5. When was the system of Tapta Mudradharana started?

Ans – Once All gods including Indra were defeated by Vrutrasura. They went to Srihari and prostrated for help. Srihari told “Let all of you have Chakra Shanka symbol and fight with him. Just with the mudradharana all Vrutradi daithyaas would be killed and you will win”. All gods followed Srihari’s directions and they won. Since then onwards, all Vaishnavaas started having Mudradharana as it helps in win over enemies, it helps in winning Kama-krodhadhi arishadvarga. – Source Padmapurana.

6. Why one must have Taptamudradharane?

Ans : Tapta Mudradharane is the “Vaishnavathva” symbol. Tapta mudradharane has a prominent place in Madhwa philosophy. In harivamsha – During Krishnavatara, Srikrishna had ordered that only those who have Mudradarane can enter Dwarake. Because of wearing Mudradharane – Power of Tamoguna – ajnaana, mithyaagnaana, will be removed, and through Shanka – Sathvaguna will be replacing tamoguna.

One has to get Tapta Mudradharana from their respective Mutt Yathi only. As per Vishnu Rahasya shloka vyaakyana. It is observed from various Pandits of various mutts, that even though they have studied under various Mutt yathees, but they have taken Mudradharana from their respective mutt yathi only. Some of the example are :

Pandurangi Anandabhattarakaru even after defeating many pundits and handing over the “jayapatra” (win certificate) to Vadirajaru, he got mudradharana from Uttaradimutt yathi only.

Srikrishnavadootharu, even thouth he was one of the prominent bhakthaa of Raghavendra Tirtharu, his family members are getting mudradharana from Uttaradimutt yathi only.

Even though, Sri Bidarahalli Srinivasaachar got the title “Tirtha” from Rayaru, he was getting Mudradharana from Uttaradimutt yathi only.

LinGeri Acharyaru was the shishya of Yadavaryaru of UM parampare, but, he used to get Mudradharana from Raghavendra Mutt yathi only.

There is another opinion – we can take mudradharana from any yathigalu, when we are in a far off place where no yathi will come for mudradharana or you are not in a position to go to his place.

There is another opinion – We can take mudra from our gurugalu also, when there is no chance of getting mudradharana from your Mutt peetadhipathi.

In view of the above. even though one must take mudradharana from the respective mutt yathi only. But taking mudra from other mutt pontiffs is also accepted as better to have mudra instead of not having it at all.

9. Sri Vadiraja Tirtha quotes in his Yuktimallika : – Mudradharana will be given by Acharya Madhwa only. In Agni he will be agninamaka and gives Sudarshana and shanka Tapta Mudradharana. There will be sannidhana of Acharya Madhwa in the Madhwa Yathi on this day.

10. Sudarshana Homa on Ashada Shukla Ekadashi –

On Ekadashi day, there is no provision for annadana, jaladaana, and no havissu for gods. But on Ashada Shukla Ekadashi day, Sudarshana Homa to be done with chanting of Mantra only. Only Vishnu to be invited for the homa.

11. Importance of Mudradharana – some quotes :

Those who scolds/disrespects the one with Mudradharana, would be getting the sin of disrespecting/scolding Srihari.

One who does not have Taptamudradharana will not have Vedadyana adhikara.

Even during antya samskara time also Tapta mudradharana to be done (by Mudradharana) which will remove the fear of Yama and his servants.

We should invite for Bhojana only those who has Mudra, lest it should be bhojana for pitru with mala mootra.

As per Vamana Purana – the one who wears Sudarshana Chakra Mudra even for playing would get Vishnu loka

As per Shivapurana – All those who are singing, praying the mahima of Srihari would be having Mudra.

As per Skanda purana – One who has Chakradi ayudhaas, even if he has done so many sins, Yama will not come near him. The shareera which has Shanka-Chakra will be the home for gods.

As per Padmapurana – Uttarakhanda quote – Shiva told Parvathi “Those who have agnitapta Vishnuchakra would be a Mahatmya.

As per Markandeya Purana – Tapta Mudharana indicates the relationship between Srihari and us. It is similar to ladies wearing bangles, kumkuma, etc as the symbol of “muthaide”. Similarly those who have mudra would be recognized as “Vaishnava”.

As per Matsyapurana – Vishnubhakta should have Chakra to his right shoulder and Shanka to his left shoulder, which would fetch him Vishnuloka.

As per Skanda Purana – Even shoodras who possess Shanka Chakra symbol would get Svarga.

Kanyadaana to be done only for one who has Mudradharana.

As per Smruti muktavali – One who does sandhyavandana, japa, homa, etc with Ordhwapundra dharana, – he will not get any punya. Entire punya would be taken away by raakshasas.

This is a quote from Atharvana shruti |

meaning – Srihari is the mightiest and he is the one who gives the “bala or power” for the devataas. Chakra of Sriman mahaaviShnu, to be heated and applied on our body. One who gets the Chakra on his body, will be free from all the sins and he will get the “loka” wherein yatis enters.